How to Find Old Houses for Sale

Most people that are looking for houses are looking for brand spanking new houses, however what they don't realize is that the old houses on the market are the ones that offer the best value for the money. Not only have they withstood the test of time for durability, but many of them are severely under priced and this makes them prime investment properties for homeowners and savvy investors as well. In this article, I will teach you how to find old houses for sale. Let's get started.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Network and tell everyone that you are in the market for old houses for sale. That's right; tell everyone who will listen that you are in the market for old houses. Whether you want to fix it up or flip it, let your intentions be known. After all, you never know who knows whom and the person you don't suspect knows anything about real estate just might know a lot.

2. Put an ad in the paper. People who are hoping to sell their homes for the most profit often check the classified ads. Therefore, place an ad in the paper that says that you "buy old homes for cash." You will get all kinds of calls. Simply screen out the goofballs and keep track of the owners with old houses for sale that pique your interest.

3. Choose a realtor who specializes in selling old houses. Not only will he be familiar with the best old homes on the market, but he can't help you determine which old home is a good value for the money. In addition, he may be able to show you some properties that aren't even on the market yet due to his connections within the industry.

4. Visit a myriad of old houses for sale. Not only will this familiarize you with suitable properties, it will sharpen your skills for knowing if an old home is a good value or not. If it isn't you can simply walk away knowing that it isn't ripe for the picking. If it is a good deal, you can make an offer with pride. Note: Before making an offer on an older home or before getting locked into a contract, get an inspection to make sure that you know what you're getting into so that you avoid a bad investment.

5. Do your homework. Make sure that you do your homework about values of older vs. new homes as well as what are considered the best neighborhoods. Ideally you want to choose the ugliest and oldest house on the best block in order for maximum profits. After all, you can always fix the house and make improvements but you can't change locations to improve your investment.

6. Don't rush the buying process. It will take time to find a suitable old home that meets your requirements and take your time making an offer. After all, you want to make sure that you have a good understanding of what you are getting into before you purchase an old house.

7. In conclusion, finding old houses for sale takes a bit of work in the beginning but if you are patient and follow the above tips, you will find a great old house and you'll be able to get a good deal too. Good luck!

Tips & Warnings

• For older homes, make sure that you always get a professional inspection before purchasing to determine any potential problems.

[markhenry]

on 11/21/2008 Good. Very good article. Very useful for people who want to buy old houses.

[Ericcanuck]

on 11/17/2008 Great article. Love the tips.

[Ericcanuck]

on 11/17/2008 Great article. Love the tips.

[Wasatch]

on 11/17/2008 Good article 5* I sell houses and people need to remember a new home usually needs thousands of dollars in landscaping to be where old homes are yard wise.

[openwave]

on 11/17/2008 Great Job